Dear reader,

You may have seen me in your email, still I would like to introduce myself once again. My name is Jochen Rabe, I am a professor at the Einstein Center Digital Future for Urban Resilience and Digitalisation – and since June 1, 2020, the new Managing Director of KWB.

The past five months in my new role, accompanied by an intensive process of getting acquainted with the brilliant and multi-talented KWB team, have confirmed me in my intentions to push forward the KWB as a research institute, think tank and driver for solving urgent issues associated with the water cycle. I definitely envision the KWB as an independent key link between the many stakeholders in the Berlin-Brandenburg metropolitan region, but also beyond. Water is the basis of life and the KWB with its technical excellence will continue to investigate the related topics: how to preserve water as a resource, how water influences our built and natural environment (and vice versa) and how to maintain or even improve the quality of water. Against this background, digitalisation in particular has a great potential and the KWB will continue to develop its strong points in this field.

After it had become quiet around our newsletter for a while (mainly due to the coronavirus pandemic), it now shines in a new look, optimised for mobile devices simplifying and speeding up the access to our multifaceted work. In this issue you can read about the socially relevant circular economy which is addressed by our projects “Green Gas” and “Ultimate”. You have the opportunity to get to know me better via an interview. And you can also find out more about digitalisation in the water sector by the example of the “Digital-Water.City” project and about safe swimming in rivers (but not in winter, please!). Finally, we inform you about strategies for reducing the carbon footprint of sewage treatment plants.

We hope you enjoy reading about all our activities and achievements,

PS: You can access all articles via the buttons in your email.